A/N: Warning! Contains some graphic imagery.

"Move out of the way!" Crimson yelled, tackling Neo to the ground as a stream of blood flew over them both. Crimson glanced back to see Orion had tacked Ebony to the ground also.

He looked back to the origin of the attack, already knowing what it was. He did not miss the gray muscles, tightly stretched across the long limbs. The extended digits gripping the earth as it moved on all fours. The unmistakable stretched sack between their back legs, resembling a bloated abdomen scrapping the ground. Yet, the most recognizable feature that had made him nearly lose the contents of his stomach the first time he had seen it, was the shredded skin that draped over the creatures elongated face. The observant could see what the beast looked like before they had changed.

He quickly jumped to his feet, grabbing another stream of blood as it flew past. He solidified it, then launched it back at the Bloodlicker. The blood spear sailed cleanly through the Bloodlicker's head and body, causing the bloated underbelly to burst. Looking around he saw five more crawling around buildings towards him.

"Stay back and try not to draw their attention to you. I will kill them," Crimson ordered.

"Crimson, what kind of Grimm are those? I've never heard or seen them before," Ebony called out to him.

"These aren't Grimm but Bloodlickers. I will explain when it's safe. Stay back while I handle them," Crimson ordered again. One of the beasts let an ear piercing screech fill the air.

'Why did I agree to let them come along?' He thought to himself, dodging one of the Bloodlickers as they pounced.

Crimson and Orion waited in the elevator that went to Ozpin's office, both had their weapons and provisions for the day.

"So you do this every Tuesday and Thursday?" Orion asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yes. It started after the fight I had with Professor Goodwitch. Ozpin figured that it would be best for me to just go out and fight the Grimm. This way I wouldn't accidently hurt another student," Crimson said, looking over his sword.

"What do you mean? From what I heard you just fought her, not killed her."

"Well, since I was able to go head-to-head with a professional Huntress, Ozpin decided to have me wait until everyone was more on the same level before I joined in," Crimson said, shrugging.

"That makes no sense. Pyrrha is a world renowned champion in fighting. Leagues ahead of everyone else in the class, yet she still participates in class," Orion countered.

"It was Ozpin's idea, not mine," Crimson deflected. "Honestly I enjoy it and don't understand why everyone else doesn't do it."

Before Orion could counter, the elevator dinged, signaling to them that they had arrived at their destination. The doors opened to Glynda and another man standing around Ozpin's desk.

The man wore black dress pants and black boots. He had a gray button down shirt on, with the sleeves, rolled up to just below his elbows exposing the black lining. On his back was a black tattered cape with red lining. Around his neck was a simple black cord necklace with a cross, and he wore several rings on his hands. He had slightly graying, black, spiky hair, and a stubble outlining his jaw. Strapped to his back was a large sword. He had turned and was analyzing the two students.

Crimson's hand tightened on Rakuyo, feeling an attack was in preparation.

"Ah, right on time as always Mr. Moon. I see that Mr. Star is joining you on your hunt today?" Ozpin asked more to clarify.

"That is right. Should we have waited a bit longer? I don't mean to intrude on your business," Crimson said.

"Not at all. You just killed two Nevermore with one stone. Now I won't have to send for Mr. Star," Ozpin said, pressing some buttons on his desk. "Mr. Star, could you please step out for a minute. I have some questions for Mr. Moon that are personal to him."

Orion glanced at Crimson but stepped back into a small room off to the side. Once he was gone, the atmosphere shifted.

"Crimson, I would like you to meet Qrow Branwen. He is a fellow Huntsmen like myself and Glynda."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've heard so much about you from your nieces," Crimson said.

Qrow produced a flask and took a drink, the alcohol apparent in the air.

"I don't doubt that," Qrow said, his voice scruffy. "Oz, just show him so we can come to a decision."

Ozpin pressed a button to bring up the holographic display. The only picture on it was of the tree with the hanging bodies. Crimson's grip tightened harder on his Rakuyo. His gaze hardened, a shadow passing over his eyes.

'There was no way anyone from Remnant knows what that means,' he had thought.

"Where was this?" he asked, his voice cold.

Glynda and Ozpin shared a look, not recognizing the person who stood before them. He radiated a presence that one of them hadn't felt in a long time, while the other one didn't know how to explain it. Qrow's hand went to his weapon, not drawing it but ready to.

"A village about six hours away by bullhead. Qrow here was the one who found the village in its current state," Ozpin said. Showing a few more of the graphic pictures.

"Did you burn or bury the bodies?" Crimson asked.

"The village was quarantined, but I don't think that anything has happened yet," Qrow said.

"I need to investigate that village as soon as possible. If that tree is any factor to go by, then someone else from my world is here," Crimson said.

"How do you know for sure someone from your world is here?" Glynda asked.

"That is why I need to investigate that town myself. I need to examine the wounds myself and at the source. Plus, I need to make sure that another scourge does not happen," he emphasized.

"I'm sorry but what is a scourge?" Qrow asked.

"Ozpin will explain after I leave. I need to get there now," Crimson ordered. All tensing at the authority in his voice.

"Would you like your team to go with you? To provide backup if any Grimm were to show up?" Ozpin asked, keeping calm but on edge.

"Fine, if it gets me there faster than it would be to argue," Crimson said rushed, not thinking about what could happen.

"Well then, head towards the air docks. Your other teammates will meet you there," Ozpin said, pushing a button on his desk. Orion stepped back into the room but stopped once he saw the tense atmosphere. "Mr. Star, as of right now your team is going on a mission. However, Crimson will be in charge for this mission. He will brief you and the others on the way. Hurry to the air docks where a bullhead is waiting for you."

Orion was about to question, but he saw the warning in Ozpin's eyes. He held his tongue and nodded. Following Crimson out the door.

Crimson slashed at the nearest Bloodlicker, causing it to retreat back a few steps. He waited, calculating possible attack patterns. These Bloodlickers were not the same from Yharnam. He looked at the shredded skin drapes, feeling sorry for the person that they once were.

Crimson saw the signs of the attack coming and waited for the perfect timing. Two Bloodlickers shot blood streams at him, while two others just lunged at him. Crimson, dodged to the side, grabbing one blood stream and solidifying it. Instead of throwing, the now, blood spear, he stabbed it into one of the lunging Bloodlickers. Using the Rakuyo, he cut the beast's head off and threw it down, drawing the two Bloodlickers to it as they tried to drink the blood. With two distracted and one dead, Crimson concentrated on the remaining two. He quickly lunged to them, slicing with both the Rakuyo and blood spear. It didn't take him long, as a moment later they were lying on the ground in several parts. Then, without looking, he threw the spear at the two distracted beasts. Mid-flight, the spear split into two pieces and sailed cleanly through their heads.

Crimson then gave a loud whistle, sounding eerily similar to what the beast's screeches sounded like. He waited, listening hard to the surroundings. After a few minutes of silence, he turned towards where he had seen the rest of his team move to. He waved, signaling that it was clear, and waited for them to come over. They quickly hurried over to where he was, Orion and Ebony avoiding the scenery around them, while Neo was surprisingly calm.

"Crimson, what were those thing?" Ebony asked, her skin paler than usual.

"Those were Bloodlickers. They appear where there is a large supply of spilled blood. Usually, in a massacre like this town experienced," Crimson said, starting to walk around the town. Bodies were scattered about in different positions. Some were clearly trying to flee whatever caused the attack, while some were in failed attempts in trying to fight it. Different shades of blood painted the ground as it was in different states of drying.

'Thank the Blood there were only six. I don't know what I would have done if there were more. But that does bid the question, Who caused this?' Crimson thought to himself as he looked around, deep in thought.

"Wait, why is this the first time we are hearing about them? Wouldn't they have been at least something that Professor Port knew about?" Orion asked, following after him.

Crimson knelt down and rolled over a body. He heard someone inhale sharply but didn't bother looking to see who it was. The body had its face and most of the muscle ripped off. He didn't pay much attention to the face, as he was looking at the wound across his chest. As he was about to examine the wound closer, he was pulled away.

Crimson instantly went on the defensive as he always did. He kicked the feet out from under the person. As they fell, he pulled his Rakuyo and pressed it across their throat, pinning the person down to the ground. Recognition flashed as he realized he was holding down Orion.

"Sorry," Crimson said, turning back to the body he was looking at.

"CRIMSON!" Orion yelled, drawing Crimson's attention. "What is going on? All you told us was that we were going to look into an incident at a village, not that we were here to investigate a mass murder. We are not experienced enough to be looking into this."

"I will be blunt with you, at the time, I was not thinking clearly. I wanted to get out here as soon as possible and didn't argue with Ozpin when he suggested it. To be honest, I have no idea why he suggested it," Crimson said.

"Crimson," Ebony called off in the distance.

"As soon as we got here, I knew I had made a mistake in letting you come along."

"Orion," Ebony called again, her voice louder, but not drawing the attention of the men.

"Why would you be the one to investigating this village? Why not a professional Huntsmen, or even the authorities," Orion questioned.

"Because-"

"GUYS!" Ebony yelled at them. Both of them turned to look at Ebony who pointed towards Neo, who was frozen staring around a building. Crimson began making his way over to Neo with Orion following. Rounding the corner Crimson looked back at Orion.

"Because of that," Crimson said, gesturing in front of him.

Orion finally making to where they stood. His face twisted in horror as he laid eyes on the tree. The bodies were in a worse state than from the picture Crimson had seen. Some of them had bite marks, even chunks missing, from animals feasting on the corpses. Most had different shades of skin as each body was in a different state of rigor mortis. All were still hung by their feet with their hands bound, draping from the bodies.

"Whoever massacred this village, did it to get my attention. I don't know who, or why but I will find out. And to do that I need to examine the bodies and burn them," Crimson said, turning back to the body he had been looking at. He stopped after a step, looking back at the tree. "If you think I am taking this lightly, don't. I have walked hand in hand with death longer than any other living person, and the thing I hate most is killing of the innocent."

Crimson continued walking. He knelt down by the faceless body and took a close look at the wound on its chest. A single slash from a blade. The blade was sharpened to a razor edge, but the wound was too big for a simple blade cut. The wound was infected, black with different shades of red. The strange thing was that the veins around the wound were black as well, easily visible. Crimson's eyes widened as he stepped back.

'By the blood, why would that cursed weapon be here? I thought I had the only one,' he thought, looking through his bag.

"Crimson, what do you want us to do?" Orion asked walking up to him.

"Keep an eye out for Grimm," Crimson said, still searching through his satchel. "This attack no doubt caused a lot of negative emotions. I'm surprised Grimm haven't shown up yet. Kill them before they can feast on the bodies. Ah good, there it is." He stopped his searching and looked around, deep in thought. "Take Ebony with you and do a sweep around the village. Try to get a count of how many we have. I'm guessing by the size, maybe 150 total."

"What will you and Neo be doing?" Orion asked.

"We will collect the bodies and look for identification. Then once everyone has been collected, we will have a funeral pyre," Crimson said.

"What about their families? Wouldn't they want to have a final look or have their own funerals? Hell, even know about this?" Orion asked. Crimson began walking around.

"That is the main reason why we will be collecting identification, so we can tell the families about this. Also, I can not allow them to leave the area. The weapon that caused all of this damage is very dangerous. It is the most dangerous in corpses,"Crimson answered stopping and placing a hand on Orion's shoulder. "Like I said, I don't take their deaths lightly. I hold it very close. Now please do as I ask and trust me on this. It might not be the morally right choice, but it is the best."

Crimson could see the conflict in his eyes. He knew he was asking a lot from Orion, but he was speaking the truth. Even if it was a half-truth. He didn't want what happened in Yharnam to happen here. Most would not survive. Some would not be able to resist. Few would be able to make the choices he made.

After a moment, Orion finally nodded and called for Ebony. They both began walking around the village. Crimson knew there would be consequences for this, but instead of thinking about the future he turned and headed towards the tree. Neo was still staring at it with a neutral face. He began working on cutting down the bodies. Shortly after he started, Neo joined in. Once all of the bodies were on the ground, Crimson began searching for identification.

"Look for any form of identification. Don't take money or anything valuable. If you can not find any identification, then take a picture of the face," Crimson said, noticing the confused look on his partner's face. "Once everyone has been identified, of their picture taken for later identification, then we will gather them here and have a funeral pyre for them."

A/N: So this chapter looked A LOT better in my head and in the outline, but, as I started writing this chapter then the idea left me to the point the outline was useless. Sorry, I know that this was a weak chapter, not my best.

Please leave a review of the chapter, Any questions, please leave it in a review, comment, or PM me. I do answer all reviews directly, so if you have PM turned off then you are kind of SOL.